Chapter 10

Unqualified? Matthew raised an eyebrow. He had come to work, hoping to get to know Rachel better, all thanks to Fred’s invitation. Being labeled unqualified by a mere manager was unexpected. “You might not have understood this clearly—” Larry cut him off. “I don’t need an explanation, and you don’t need to give one. I manage the logistics department and oversee hundreds of employees. I’m incredibly busy and don’t have time to waste on a driver like you. Get lost!”

Matthew’s suppressed anger flared. “Watch your mouth. I don’t want trouble, but don’t push me.” Larry scoffed. “I’m the manager here! I supervise dozens of drivers. Why should I show respect to a mere driver like you? Who do you think you are? And what can you do even if I push you? Let me be clear! A criminal record doesn’t affect your job here, but I’ll fire you anyway. What can you do about it? Get lost—”

Before Larry could finish, Matthew slapped him. “Show some respect!” he demanded. The slap left Larry dumbfounded. He stared in disbelief, clutching his face. Though wanting to retaliate, he hesitated at Matthew’s muscular build. Through gritted teeth, Larry spat, “How dare you hit me? Are you out of your mind? Just wait; I’ll have security beat you up!” He pulled out his phone to call security, pointing accusingly at Matthew. “Just wait! You’re doomed!”

Matthew responded coldly, “I planned to keep a low profile and work as a chauffeur. But since you’re making things difficult, let me set the record straight. I’m Rachel’s boyfriend. She’s the president of this company!”

Larry was dumbfounded, then chuckled condescendingly. “You? You’re Ms. Carter’s boyfriend? Her suitors are countless, and none of the elites catch her eye. And you’re fantasizing about being her boyfriend? Snap out of it!”

Matthew sighed. “I’m telling the truth. If you don’t believe me, call and ask her.” Larry snorted. “Is that even necessary? Matthew, do you think no one knows your past? I know everything. You were abandoned by your wife after prison, and now you’re raising a child. Ms. Carter would never choose someone like you unless she was blind.”

Matthew took out his phone. “If you won’t call her, I will.” He called Rachel. “Hello, where are you?”

Rachel frowned, putting down her files. “I’m in the office. What’s up?”

Matthew was blunt. “I’m in the logistics manager’s office. Larry wants to fire me.”

“Fire you?” Rachel was surprised. Matthew had just started. What could he have done wrong so quickly? She suspected Matthew had been acting up and harassing colleagues. Her poor first impression of him made her think the worst. She recalled his inappropriate behavior during their first meeting. After a moment of silence, she asked, “Tell me. What did you do?”

After some contemplation, Matthew said, “Nothing. He saw me and just wanted to fire me.”

Rachel remained skeptical. “Pass the phone to Larry. Let me talk to him.” She needed to know what really happened. If it was serious, Matthew couldn’t stay.

Matthew handed the phone to Larry. “Answer it. It’s Rachel.”

Larry sneered, “Keep pretending. You think a driver like you has Ms. Carter’s contact? Even I don’t have it.”

Matthew sighed into the phone. “He won’t take my phone. He doesn’t believe I have your number. You’d better come down here yourself.”

Rachel glanced at her paperwork and frowned. She was swamped, but seeing Larry’s stubbornness, she relented. “Alright, hang up. I’ll be there.”

Matthew ended the call and told Larry, “Wait, she’s on her way.”

Hurried footsteps approached as three security guards rushed over. Larry pointed at Matthew. “It’s him! Get him out!”

The security chief, baton in hand, asked cautiously, “What’s going on here?”

Eager for revenge, Larry said, “This new driver messed up, so I fired him. But he won’t leave and claims he’s Ms. Carter’s boyfriend. He’s out of his mind! Get him out!”

The security chief was dumbfounded. He grasped the gravity of the situation, realizing Rachel would be furious. Waving his baton, he ordered, “If you want to keep your jobs, get him out of here!”

Two guards charged toward Matthew. But Matthew shook his head. “I don’t want to fight. Rachel is on her way. You guys should stop.”

The security chief scoffed. “You don’t want to fight? Too bad!” He ordered, “Take him down!”

The guards moved in, the chief following with his baton. Larry watched confidently as three guards attacked Matthew. He even tried to kick Matthew in the chaos.

Suddenly, two loud thuds echoed. The first two guards were flung to the ground. The security chief raised his baton, but faltered. Matthew swiftly kicked him in the stomach. The chief flew back and landed hard.

Seeing the guards down, Larry retreated in fear, stuttering, “You… you…”

Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached. Matthew turned to see Rachel striding toward them. “You’re here at last. I tried to tell them I was your boyfriend, but they wouldn’t listen.”